Novak Djokovic’s insatiable appetite for success has caught the attention of the world. At 36, he pulled out one of the most remarkable displays at the Cincinnati Open to defeat 21-year-old Carlos Alcaraz and at the US Open, the Serbian showed strength to triumph over 27-year-old Daniil Medvedev in the final. Going into 2024, Djokovic will still be world No. 1 and the favorite to win the Grand Slam title in Melbourne.
For that reason, Mark Philippoussis believes that Novak Djokovic is the greatest tennis player of all time and considers the Serbian champion to be the consummate pro the sport has ever seen.
Mark Philippoussis talks about Novak Djokovic’s fitness
Novak Djokovic earlier announced that he has begun preparation for the Paris Masters, which kicks off on October 30th and has strategized a road map for a great 2024 season, with his first tournament to be at the United Cup in January before the Australian Open.
Mark Philippoussis, ex-coach of Stefanos Tsitsipas and part of his coach team said that he’s never seen a professional athlete like Novak Djokovic: “As incredibly professional as you’ve seen Rafa Nadal be or Roger Federer, where they’re competing and making sure that they’re going into Grand Slams mentally and physically the fittest, Djokovic has taken that to a level and it’s just amazing. He was incredible to watch at the US Open.”
“If he’s got a practice court at one o’clock, he’s in the gym by 11 o’clock. He’s walking onto the practice court already sweating. He finishes his training, he’s into his drinks and his eating and everything is exactly in place where it needs to be. I haven’t seen a professional like that. There’s been a lot of amazing professionals but I’ve never seen the degree that Djokovic does it,” Philippoussis added.
The 46-year-old further went on to back the Serbian tennis legend to win the first Grand Slam in 2024 as well. “He’s without a doubt the favourite going into the Australian Open,” said Philippoussis. “And I don’t see him slowing down soon.”
Djokovic’s impressive record against Mark Philippoussis ex-mentee Stefanos Tsitsipas
Novak Djokovic and Stefanos Tsitsipas have faced off eleven times on the ATP tour and twice in the major titles, first in the quarterfinals 2021 French Open and then final 2023 Australian Open which Djokovic won both. The Serbian great Noavk Djokovic holding a 11-2 advantage. The only time Stefanos Tsitsipas won Djokovic was in the Round of 16 ATP Maters 1000 Canada 2018 and the quarterfinals of the ATP Masters 1000 Shanghai, China.
The 36-year-old Serbian presently seats at the top of the world rankings while Stefanos is 7th. Stefanos Tsitsipas has no Grand Slam title in his trophy cabinet but has won ten ATP singles titles including two Masters 1000 championships while Djokovic has won 24 Grand Slam title and 96 ATP singles titles including 36 Masters Championships.
Do you see Novak Djokovic continue to excel in 2024? Drop your predictions in the comments.
